The Mayor of the West Midlands has launched a fierce defence of the HS2 project, labelling calls from Reform UK to scrap it as 'dangerous' and 'reckless' for the region's economic future.
Political Clash Over High-Speed Rail
Mayor Richard Parker issued a robust response after Reform UK's Deputy Leader, Richard Tice, publicly urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to abandon the high-speed railway scheme. In a social media clip ahead of the budget, Tice branded HS2 as 'ridiculous and wasteful' and the 'train to nowhere', citing a poll suggesting a majority of Brits would scrap it to save money.
Parker hit back, stating that jettisoning the project at this advanced stage would cause significant harm. He directly linked the policy to Nigel Farage, accusing Reform UK of making up policies on the spot without understanding the regional economy.
Billions in Investment at Stake
The Mayor emphasised that the West Midlands has secured billions of pounds in investment based on the certainty of HS2's delivery. He argued that businesses are investing because the region is serious about growth and creating real jobs in future-proof sectors.
Work continues on Birmingham's Curzon Street Station, which is set to become the first mainline inner-city railway station built in the UK since the 19th century. Its expected completion is scheduled for between 2029 and 2033.
A Battle of Visions
This clash highlights the deep divide over the controversial infrastructure project. Critics, like Tice, point to the well-documented issues of escalating costs, project delays, and environmental damage during construction.
Supporters, including Mayor Parker, counter that HS2 is essential for improving connectivity, increasing rail capacity, reducing carbon emissions, and boosting regional economic growth by billions of pounds. Parker concluded that while Reform UK offers 'political gimmicks', his leadership is focused on building a future with jobs and opportunity, not taking the region backwards.
